Donate
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Community

How to Love Your Difficult Parents

by Fr. Mike Schmitz
Photo by A. C. for Unsplash

The Ten Commandments tell us to “honor thy mother and father”, but what does that really look like? Especially for adult children?

Parents are not perfect, and sometimes they make mistakes that leave us and others wounded. So when God tells us to honor them, what does he mean by that? There’s a certain respect that all are owed simply by their personhood, and then there’s a respect that someone deserves because of their role or position. But what if our parents are dishonorable people? Does this commandment change once we’re adults out of their direct care?

Today, Father Mike explains how we can love difficult parents.


Latest content

Fr Columba Jordan CFR
Why You Feel Alone, and St. Paul’s Solution
God doesn't see you as a stranger, a servant, or merely a guest. He sees you as family. He rescued you, cares for you, and want...
Read more
Maria Stempo
Learning the Wisdom of Holy Discretion in a Culture of Oversharing
When I was growing up, my dad, God rest his soul, used to say, “Never tell anyone your problems because half the people don’t c...
Read more
Busted Halo
Holy Land Hospitality: How a Shabbat Dinner on a Work Trip Renewed My Catholic Faith
I walked the streets of Jerusalem as a skeptic, unsure what I believed about the city, Jesus, or the biblical stories. I had st...
Read more
Busted Halo
Learning to Embrace Leisure: A Father’s Perspective
The words “parenting” and “relaxing” never fit together naturally for me as a father. And with all of the pressures weighing on...
Read more